3 Chief s Welcome 17 K-9 Program. 4 Mission Statement 18 Community Policing

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Abel Samuel Beasley
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1 2018 ANNUAL REPORT

2 3 Chief s Welcome 17 K-9 Program 4 Mission Statement 18 Community Policing 5 Our Staff 10 Crime Statistics Calls for Service 13 Major Cases 16 Support Staff Summary 2 P a g e

3 Chief s Welcome Hello and welcome to the Waunakee Police Department s 2018 annual report. On behalf of all department members, we are pleased to have the opportunity to serve residents and visitors of our great community. Waunakee s 2018 population was estimated at 14,000 with a total area of approximately 7 square miles. Law Enforcement in 2018 experienced tumultuous times with much negative press regarding police officers. Police agencies across the country are at crisis stage with low numbers of applications for police officer positions. Waunakee s applications were down over 60% from just four years ago, with a total of 44 applications in 2018 as opposed to 123 in Fortunately, the Waunakee community continues to be supportive of the department. We have been able to maintain a strong relationship with our community. Events such as National Night Out and the Citizen s Academy have become more popular every year and help to strengthen the bond between the community and police. Residents express thanks and support via cards, letters, handshakes, phone calls and s. We receive great support from the Waunakee Village Board. The Board has fulfilled our requests for staffing and equipment when asked, including providing another full time police officer position in Waunakee remains a great family oriented community. Our goal is to work with the community to provide a safe environment. Sincerely, Kevin Plendl Chief of Police 3 P a g e

4 Mission Statement It is the mission of the Waunakee Police Department to protect and serve all people with respect, fairness and compassion. We are committed to preserving peace, order and safety. We enforce laws and ordinances, safeguard constitutional rights, and maintain efficient delivery of services. We pledge to work with the community in a partnership to ensure Waunakee is a safe place for every resident and visitor. We pledge to serve with honesty, integrity and loyalty. 4 P a g e

Waunakee Police Department 2018 Staff In 2018, the

police officers and 2 full time civilian staff.

CHIEF Kevin Plendl Serving since 1987 LIEUTENANTS Joe

5 Waunakee Police Department 2018 Staff In 2018, the Waunakee Police Department employed 19 full time police officers and 2 full time civilian staff. Here are our employees and years with the village: CHIEF Kevin Plendl Serving since 1987 LIEUTENANTS Joe Peterson Adam Kreitzman Serving since 1997 Serving since P a g e

6 SERGEANTS Roger Bartels Geoffrey Hutchinson Serving since 1999 Serving since 2002 Robert Beaudette Asher Torbeck Serving since 2002 Serving since 2008 SUPPORT STAFF Cassie Rottscheit Zoey Jensen Serving since 2014 Serving since P a g e

7 DETECTIVES/INVESTIGATORS Brian Pittsley Jason Carbon Serving since 2000 Serving since 2006 SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER Erik Schmidt Serving since 2011 OFFICERS Duane Brehmer Kara Christenson Serving since 1993 Serving since P a g e

8 Glen Jacob Corey Geldernick Serving since 2008 Serving since 2012 Mitchell Houk Rachael Martin Serving since 2013 Serving since 2015 Chelsea Perkins Mike Taschek Serving since 2015 Serving since P a g e

9 Kendra Barman Serving since P a g e

10 Crime Statistics: 3 year comparison Crimes are tracked in the United States utilizing the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) format. Every month police departments submit crime statistics to the Department of Justice. The Department of Justice then produces an annual report containing the crime stats for each municipality. There are two separate categories in which crimes are tracked; violent crimes and property crimes. Many crimes are not tracked under the UCR format, such as fraud, criminal damage to property, forgery, drug sales and trespassing. According to the Department of Justice, the reporting of offenses is limited to the crime classifications listed below because they are the most serious and commonly reported crimes in the United States. Together, they serve as a gauge of the level and scope of crimes occurring across the country. Although 2018 was the highest year for violent crimes ever reported in Waunakee in a single year, Waunakee s crime numbers remain well below the national and statewide averages in violent and property crimes. The definition of Aggravated Assault: Aggravated Assault-Defined under UCR guidelines as any assault which results in any of the following to the victim; loss of consciousness, injury requiring stitches, broken bones, broken teeth, and the use or threat of the use of a dangerous weapon such as a gun, knife, bat, tire iron etc. The following page contains a 3 year summary of crimes reported in Waunakee which meet the Department of Justice s UCR guidelines and the clearance rates (percent of cases solved by arrest.) 10 P a g e

11 Total Violent Crimes Murder Robbery Rape Aggravated Assault Clearance Rate 100% 93% 85% Total Property Crimes Burglary Theft Motor Vehicle Theft Arson Clearance Rate 37% 70% 34% Types of Crime 0 Burglary Theft Motor Vehicle Theft Types of Crime Arson 11 P a g e

12 2018 CALLS FOR SERVICE As a department, we had a total of 8,141 calls for service in This number is very similar to our total calls in 2016 (8,674) and 2017 (8,404). Our peak call times were weekdays between 3pm-7pm. Here are the most frequent calls: Police calls for frequent incident types: Assist EMS 740 Accident 221 Suspicious Vehicle 178 Check Person 268 Check Property In reference to traffic enforcement, we made a total of 2,592 traffic stops in Those stops resulted in 2,069 warnings and 773 traffic citations issued. *some stops resulted in more than 1 citation. These numbers indicate that approximately 30% or 3 of every 10 people stopped for a traffic violation was cited. Speeding was the most issued citation with Operating Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated Statistics 25 total arrests were made 5 refused to provide a test The average alcohol level of those who tested was.164, which is over double the legal limit The highest alcohol level was.25 4 th offense was the highest level of offense 12 P a g e

13 Major Cases We had a number of major incidents which occurred in Unfortunately, many involved weapons offenses. Here is a summary of some of that activity. January A 21 year old male was arrested on multiple drug charges following a several month investigation. We obtained a search warrant and executed it at a private residence with assistance from the Dane County Narcotics and Gangs Task Force. Cocaine, OxyContin, Marijuana, Psilocybin mushrooms and Drug paraphernalia were recovered. Information was that he was a dealer to high school kids and lived within a short distance of the Middle and High Schools. Charges included possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, possession of cocaine with intent to deliver, possession of schedule 2 narcotics, and maintaining a drug trafficking place. The charges carried an enhancer for being within 1,000 feet of a school. A 19 year old male was charged with operating a motor vehicle without the owner s consent and theft after officers took a report of a stolen vehicle. The suspect had a 21 page criminal history. March We assisted the Dane County Sheriff s Office with an underage drinking party that was upgraded to a shooting. A Waunakee Officer located the female shooting victim and rendered aid until EMS arrived. April We worked with the Dane County Sheriff s Office on a search warrant at a private residence in Waunakee related to a computer crime. Further investigation led to the discovery of several more crimes. This led to the arrest of a 44 year old male for charges of child enticement, use of a computer to facilitate child sex crimes and repeated sexual assault of a child and possession of child pornography. May A 14 year old male was arrested and charged with Disorderly Conduct with a Weapon Enhancement and Unlawful Use of a Computerized Communication System after he sent threats via social media to harm specific individuals along with a picture of himself with a handgun. 13 P a g e

14 July An 18 year old male was arrested for disorderly conduct while armed following an incident at a private residence. The suspect had been the victim of a previous theft. He subsequently confronted a juvenile who was walking on his property and pointed an AR15 at the juvenile. He zipped tied the juvenile s hands and called police. August A 54 year old female was the victim of a homicide. The victim s neighbor, a 74 year old male, shot her. The victim was transported by helicopter to a Madison hospital and later died. The suspect was involved in a standoff with officers before he surrendered and was taken into custody. He was subsequently arrested and charged with first degree intentional homicide and intentionally pointing a firearm at another. He is currently in jail awaiting trial. This was the first homicide in Waunakee since September Officers responded to a hit and run crash with the offending vehicle fleeing the scene and driving very recklessly. An officer located the vehicle and driver. A 31 year old male was arrested on multiple charges including 4 th offense operating motor vehicle while intoxicated, resisting arrest and hit run to property. His blood alcohol level was.20. Several officers immediately responded to the call of an active shooter at a Middleton business. The suspect was subsequently shot during a shootout with police and later died. We helped to clear the building, assist victims and render aid to the suspect. A 54 year old male was arrested on multiple drug charges following a several month investigation. We served a search warrant at a private residence with assistance of the Dane County Narcotics and Gangs Task Force. Cocaine, marijuana, heroin and drug paraphernalia were located. Charges included possession of narcotic drugs, possession with intent to deliver cocaine, possession of controlled substance and maintaining a drug trafficking place. 14 P a g e

15 October We served a search warrant on a private residence in reference to adult exposing harmful materials to a child. This was based on information received from police in Virginia. Child pornography was recovered and a 66 year old male was arrested and faces multiple charges. November We investigated a rash of burglaries and stolen auto cases. At one point officers attempted to stop a stolen vehicle that had just been used during a burglary. The vehicle fled and a pursuit ensued. The vehicle subsequently became disabled. All four occupants fled the car on foot and were caught. This was the third pursuit we had been involved in during the month. The other two were terminated due to safety concerns. The following day, utilizing GPS and with the help of Madison Police, a car that had been stolen in Waunakee was tracked to a location in Madison. Madison Police located the vehicle and took three suspects into custody. A 29 year old male is facing firearms charges following a traffic incident. The male was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped for erratic driving. Officers directed the female driver to exit the vehicle and when she did the male jumped in the driver seat and fled at high speed. Warrants have been issued for his arrest. A loaded handgun fell out from the female driver s coat after she exited the car. Testing has been requested to determine if the male had possessed the gun, as he is a habitual criminal and multiple time felon. 15 P a g e

16 Support Staff Summary The department employs two full time civilian support staff; Office assistant Zoey Jensen and Manager Cassie Rottscheit. Zoey joined us in November of 2018 after working as a 911 dispatcher with the Sauk County Sheriff s Office. Cassie was promoted to manager in late 2018 following the retirement of Sheryl Helleis. Cassie had worked as the assistant for four years prior to being promoted. Sheryl had been with the Police Department since 1980! Cassie and Zoey staff the office Monday through Thursday 7:00a.m. to 6:00p.m. and Friday, 7:00a.m. to 4:00p.m. Support staff is the first point of contact for phone calls (excluding 911) and walk ins to the Police Department. They dispatch non-emergency calls on the Waunakee Police channel. In 2018, they answered over 8,000 phone calls and worked with 2,500 walk in customers. A significant part of support staff s day is data entry, including; entering information on all calls, traffic citations, traffic warnings, parking tickets and transcribing reports. Other responsibilities include preparing reports for court and social service agencies. Support staff processed over 600 open records requests in Generally, these requests are fulfilled within three business days after the request is received. Support staff also tracks parking ticket payments and sends late notice for overdue fines. The manager submits the monthly Uniform Crime Report to the Department of Justice. Support staff ensures the overall quality and accuracy of information that is entered into the records management program. Staff strives to provide the best customer service possible when assisting the public. 16 P a g e

17 K-9 Program Officer Mitch Houk and his partner K- 9 Thoro are the department s K-9 team. Officer Houk first partnered with Thoro in March of 2017 when Officer Houk traveled to a kennel in Pennsylvania. They trained together for four weeks and became certified through the North American Police Work Dog Association (NAPWDA) in Narcotics detection and tracking. K-9 Thoro is certified in detecting the odors of Cocaine, Heroin, Marijuana and Methamphetamine. Officer Houk and Thoro s first patrol shift together in Waunakee was April 17, They train approximately sixteen hours per month and complete a yearly certification through NAPWDA. Thoro lives with Officer Houk and his family when they aren t working. In 2018, K-9 Thoro and Officer Houk had 84 deployments; 80 of which were for narcotics sniffs. These occurred mainly in vehicles. However, K-9 Thoro was also deployed at several private residences, parks and businesses, including at several search warrants. Officer Houk and K-9 Thoro were called upon to assist a number of local law enforcement agencies including; Deforest PD, Middleton PD, Verona PD, Madison PD, Monona PD, Sun Prairie PD, Sauk Prairie PD, Wisconsin State Patrol and the Dane County Sheriff s Office. Officer Houk and K-9 Thoro recovered a variety of drugs in 2018 including; cocaine, marijuana, crack cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and almost 80 pieces of drug paraphernalia. 17 P a g e

Coffee with a Cop gives residents the opportunity to meet department staff in a casual setting and ask questions or simply discuss a topic.

18 Community Policing We take part in a number of community policing programs throughout the year. These programs serve a variety of purposes. For instance, Citizen s Academy allows residents to interact with emergency services and get a hands on approach to the jobs that emergency responders perform. Coffee with a Cop gives residents the opportunity to meet department staff in a casual setting and ask questions or simply discuss a topic. National Night Out is a community wide event which brings the community together to meet, interact with, see equipment and ask questions of Police Officers from Waunakee and neighboring communities. The event was created to foster a partnership between the community and the police. Here s a list of some of our community policing efforts: Citizen s Academy Coffee With a Cop National Night Out Bike Rodeo Shop With a Cop Read With a Cop Cop on a Rooftop Special Olympics White Collar Crime Symposium Community Drug Symposium 18 P a g e

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For detailed information regarding the programs and services, as well as information about the Department itself, please visit

For detailed information regarding the programs and services, as well as information about the Department itself, please visit U.C. Riverside Program Highlights PDF Version For 2008, the most significant program highlighted is the partnership of the Police Department, Computing and Communication and Environmental Health & Safety